Help us defend workers rights to organize for the safety of their communities. It is intimidating and financially prohibitive for rank and file workers to fight against the egregious attacks on their rights. Erek's defense committee is raising funds to assist him after he was fired unjustly and to cover the legal costs of taking the CTA to court for violating workers' first amendment rights.

Erek Slater is a CTA bus operator of 14 years, a union representative, and a three term elected Executive Board member of the union representing CTA and PACE workers, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 241.  On May 31, 2020 he addressed his co-workers to share the official public statement of the ATU International President regarding the right to refuse to drive police.  This ATU statement was released in the context of the mass protests over the murder of George Floyd. It stated,

“our members have the right…to refuse the dangerous duty of transporting police to protests and arrested demonstrators away from these communities where many of these drivers live. This is a misuse of public transit.”  

Erek, in his capacity as a union representative, raised questions about CTA bus drivers being instrumental in the arrest of Chicago citizens who were demonstrating in the streets demanding Justice for George Floyd and other victims of police violence.  These protesters are the families and the neighbors of bus drivers themselves whose actions are bringing about social change in the US.  The CTA retaliated against Erek by taking him out of service and accusing him of illegally advocating for a wildcat strike, a charge which is false and lead to him being fired. Erek’s legal counsel has filed federal charges against the CTA for breaking the US Constitution’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

The charges against Erek represent a violation of both the First Amendment and workers’ ability to organize and speak out against injustice. The CTA and the Chicago City Administration must reinstate Erek Slater and stop punishing essential workers for organizing for workplace safety.  This is an historical moment when people across the country and around the world are demonstrating in the streets to bring about justice.

We are fighting to:

 
- Force CTA to remove all charges and reinstate Erek Slater!

 
- Ensure workers rights to organize!

 
- Justice for George Floyd and all victims of police violence!

 
- Protect workers' right to join the struggle to make Black Lives Matter!


Will you help us to stand strong against CTA's immense resources, lawyers, and power?

Please donate to support Erek.

The workers united will never be defeated!

Thank you for your support!


Other ways you can help:

1. Share on social media

2. Sign the petition 


Links for more information:

ATU International union statement:

https://www.atu.org/…/atu-george-floyds-words-a-reminder-of…


Support for bus operators who refuse to drive police and protesters:

https://www.leftvoice.org/new-york-city-bus-drivers-defy-th…


Article about CTA workers driving police:

https://blockclubchicago.org/…/with-squad-cars-vandalized…/…


ATU Local 1005 Minnesota Statement:

https://twitter.com/minh81/status/1266302193927196672


Time Magazine Article about transit worker movement to refuse to drive police:

https://time.com/…/bus-drivers-protesters-police-george-f…/…


Previous victory for freedom of speech and political activity of workers:

https://www.atu.org/…/in-blow-to-emanuel-federal-judge-issu…